College, military and business professionals share career passions with Kempsville High students

Kempsville High School recently held a three-day Enroll, Enlist and Employ event for students.

“This is one of our signature events for our students to help expose them to more opportunities so they can better prepare for life after high school,” said principal Melissa George.

Representatives from more than 20 colleges and trade schools were at the school March 31 to help students explore higher education and training. The following day, branches of the armed forces shared information about military life, boot camp essentials and hands-on demonstrations. And on the third day, 80 businesses set up stations inside the gym to interact with the entire student body.

Now in its second year as a three-day event, the event reflects Virginia Beach City Public Schools’ efforts to help students develop future-ready skills that allow them to enroll in college, enlist in the military or find employment upon graduation. Kempsville High is home to the Entrepreneurship and Business Academy.

“We recruit businesses from all types of careers,” said Chelsea Kimbrough, school improvement specialist. “We want to help students who are on track for college, students who want to go to a trade school and those who want to start working right away.”

The event also had several workshops to help students explore the skills and study subjects required to get their dream job, including information about resumes and job interviews. Virginia Beach City Public Schools human resources and food services professionals were also there.

“We have a lot of alumni and parents of students who own businesses and are here to talk about their professions,” said Sharelle Van Natten, a literacy coach at Kempsville High.

During the employment day, students discovered job opportunities by connecting with professionals across industries and participating in career workshops. Industries included homebuilding, architecture, shipbuilding, law enforcement, real estate, finance, medical fields and more.

Senior Emmanuel Mingo checked out the Chic-fil-A booth to consider alternatives to his current fast-food job, and also visited several sports medicine businesses to explore a post-college career.

“I learned what paths lead to a career in sports medicine,” he said. At the booth for PT2Go, Emmanuel engaged in a balancing exercise while physical therapist Chelsea Lindo spoke to him about a career in the field.

Junior Sky’Marie Grayson said she also asked questions about physical therapy, while junior Makiyah Hill spoke to real estate professionals at the event.

“I find this fascinating,” Makiyah said. The businesses handed out stickers that students used to win prizes by filling out a bingo card representing the booths they had visited.

“The kids are so motivated,” said Ttielle“TT” Frederick, who owns TT’s House of Beauti. “They’re asking interesting questions. I tried to help them get beyond the doubt they have about their dream jobs, so they believe they have what it takes to succeed.”